Paal Payasam Recipe

Paal Payasam Recipe

Paal (milk) Payasam is a rich, creamy and a classic Kerala dessert. It is a delicious rice pudding, made by simmering rice in hot milk and sugar, until the mixture attains a pudding-like consistency. This is the simplest Payasam recipe in Kerala cuisine. Traditionally, it chiefly consists of just four ingredients- milk, rice, sugar and clarified butter (ghee), and is very easy to make. In this recipe, some dry fruits have also been added towards the end to add crunchiness to the dish. I have used a slow simmering cooking method here. This is vital, as when heated for a long time, the milk thickens and changes its colour. Thus we are able to obtain a pudding-like consistency, and a rich flavour owing to the slow simmering. After boiling and cooling the mixture, cardamom powder (elaichi) and sugar are added to it. Elaichi has a wonderful characteristic flavour. In the end, roasted cashewnuts (kaju) and raisins (kishmish) are also added. They have a lovely golden- brown colour and just enhance the beauty of the dish. To introduce variation, crushed saffron can be added to this payasam as it gives a rich yellow colour to the pudding. I have used normal rice here, but basmati rice can also be added, as it has an incredible aroma. Paal Payasam can be served both hot and cold, it tastes fantastic regardless. It can be served as dessert during festivities, and is especially a popular choice during Onam and Pongal festivals.